‘Greening the economy’ is today one of the most pressing issues in the majority of OECD countries. While at the macro level the implications of climate change are widely acknowledged and acted upon, it is at the local level that impacts have yet to be considered in detail. Labour markets at local levels may find themselves under particular pressure to undertake the required adjustments. In local economies and among the dense networks of enterprises that underpin such economies, there is real concern that climate change mitigation and adaptation will simply mean job destruction as some jobs may be replaced and other suppressed. This concern grows as some job profiles will be transformed and new skills will be required.

However, the local level could lead the transition to a greener labour market and a more sustainable economic development if the current opportunity is seized appropriately.

The seminar reviewed the impact of the climate change on local labour markets (including through regulations) and studied the different tools and methods that can be used to facilitate and best manage the transition to a greener local economy.

The Seminar

'GREEN' Project Session

This session provided an excellent opportunity to present and discuss projects with colleagues and experts from other countries

Session 1

Understanding the impact of climate change on your local labour market

Putting it all together: integrating different policy strands and coordinating who does what

Who

OECD countries' policy makers and practitioners directly involved in designing and putting in place local strategies to respond to the climate change challenges (national and regional authorities, local employment services, ministries of labour and environment, education and training institutions, regional development agencies, local partnerships …).